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WILKES-BARRE — Pride is freedom from fear, unapologetically queer and standing for justice, Em Maloney, the founder of Queer NEPA, said at the kick-off of Wilkes-Barre’s first Pride March to the Park on Saturday.

The Northeast Pennsylvania Rainbow Alliance Pride Parade, sponsored by The Wright Center for Community Health, was held in conjunction with United We Stand, Divided We Fall’s 15th annual Drug Awareness Block Party on Public Square.

“We want to raise awareness on all issues,” Gontay Elgodo, vice president at United We Stand Divided We Fall said, adding it was a perfect fit to have the parade included in the day’s activities, which included a morning 5K walk/run, the Block Party, and the Pride Parade.

“We mainly want to promote peace,” Elgodo said, noting the recent issues surrounding a controversial brick on a public monument on Public Square. “We don’t want to see anyone destroy that peace.”

Elgodo was referencing an incident on Friday when Wilkes-Barre native Gene Stilp was taken into custody and cited by city police for trying to deface a red brick imprinted with the name East Coast Knights of the True Invisible Empire, which is a Ku Klux Klan-affiliated group.

On Saturday, only positive feelings were flowing on the Square.

Free Mom Hugs, a group of moms offering compassion and support for the LGBTQ community, was offering hugs to all that came.

“We are so happy the LGBTQ community is going to be visible walking from one point to another downtown,” Vanessa White Fernandes, co-chair of the Free Mom Hugs Pennsylvania Chapter said.

Dwayne Heisler, a board of directors member with the equal rights advocacy group Action Together, agreed, adding, the parade is a big step forward for the LGBTQ community.

“We are still considered second-class citizens,” Heisler said. “ I can get married, but fired from my job if I put a wedding picture on my desk.”

Pennsylvania is the only state in the Northeast that has not updated its anti-discrimination laws yet, he said.

The colorful parade began at noon with over 100 participants, which many wore rainbow-colored clothing and carried signs that said, “Born Gay Follow The Ray, Born Straight Refuse To Hate” and “I can get fired for whom I love. Please pass the Equality Act.”

The parade route went from Public Square, down Market Street, across the Market Street Bridge to Kirby Park. The group received compassion and

support from passing motorists in the forms of beeping horns, cheers and thumbs-up signs.

At Kirby Park, Pride Pride Community event featured a variety of vendors, which included merchants selling Pride Parade memorabilia and rainbow wear as well as companies such as Amazon, Dream Vacations, Bradbury-Sullivan LGBTQ Community Center, PNC, and Mondelez International Rainbow Council to

name a few.

The parade sponsor, The Wright Center for Community Health was also on hand to promote their medical services, which includes dental, behavioral and medical care.

“We have been involved with the Northeast Pennsylvania Rainbow Alliance for many years and will continue to support them by offering inclusive medical care,” said Maria Montoro-Edwards, vice president for Strategic Initiatives at The Wright Center for Community Health, which is based in

Scranton and has locations in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties.

Nine-year-old Noelle Rasmovicz, left, and her mom Samantha, both of Sugar Notch, make their way around NEPA Pridefest in Kirby Park on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_TTL071419Pridefest_2.jpg.optimal.jpgNine-year-old Noelle Rasmovicz, left, and her mom Samantha, both of Sugar Notch, make their way around NEPA Pridefest in Kirby Park on Saturday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

A large crowd watches Daisie Couture, of Dingmans Ferry, perform during the open drag competition at NEPA Pridefest in Kirby Park on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_TTL071419Pridefest_3.jpg.optimal.jpgA large crowd watches Daisie Couture, of Dingmans Ferry, perform during the open drag competition at NEPA Pridefest in Kirby Park on Saturday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Saree Bowen, left, and Savrian Foy, both of Moscow, applaud the open drag performances at NEPA Pridefest in Kirby Park on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_TTL071419Pridefest_4.jpg.optimal.jpgSaree Bowen, left, and Savrian Foy, both of Moscow, applaud the open drag performances at NEPA Pridefest in Kirby Park on Saturday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Brittney Ryan, right, and Elizabeth Hirschman, both of Edwardsville, sit on the lawn at NEPA Prdefest in Kirby Park on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_TTL071419Pridefest_5.jpg.optimal.jpgBrittney Ryan, right, and Elizabeth Hirschman, both of Edwardsville, sit on the lawn at NEPA Prdefest in Kirby Park on Saturday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Marchers are seen crossing the Market Street Bridge during Saturday’s parade.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_IMG_2598.jpg.optimal.jpgMarchers are seen crossing the Market Street Bridge during Saturday’s parade. Courtesy Ron Soper

Olivia Madison, of Olyphant, performs during the open drag competition at NEPA Pridefest at Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_TTL071419Pridefest_1.jpg.optimal.jpgOlivia Madison, of Olyphant, performs during the open drag competition at NEPA Pridefest at Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Gender neutral restrooms were available at NEPS Pridefest in Kirby Park on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_TTL071419Pridefest_7.jpg.optimal.jpgGender neutral restrooms were available at NEPS Pridefest in Kirby Park on Saturday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Tylee Moore, left, has her photo taken by Devan Engels, both of Wilkes-Barre, at NEPA Pridefest in Kirby Park on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_TTL071419Pridefest_6.jpg.optimal.jpgTylee Moore, left, has her photo taken by Devan Engels, both of Wilkes-Barre, at NEPA Pridefest in Kirby Park on Saturday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

By Eileen Godin

For Times Leader